New schools CEO says Youngstown 'feels like family'

YOUNGSTOWN

The first city schools chief executive officer begins work June 29 and wants to meet with individuals, groups and organizations that want to help the school district succeed.

The elected school board though, will serve in an advisory capacity under the CEO structure.

Krish Mohip, 38, an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, signed a three-year contract after the academic distress commission unanimously approved it at a Tuesday afternoon meeting.

He spent most of Tuesday meeting with school employees and others and said he’s encouraged by his reception.

“I love it,” Mohip said. “I think it’s a great town. The community here feels like family.”

Teachers, school administrators, school board members and community members filled the cafeteria at Choffin Career and Technical Center to meet Mohip.

At a school board work session Tuesday evening, Mohip said he wanted to calm anxiety about the Youngstown Plan, the legislation that allowed his appointment because of the district’s poor academic performance.

The law gives the CEO decision-making authority, Mohip acknowledged.

“But that’s not necessarily how I want to operate,” he said.

Read more about the new schools chief in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.